I've been thinking about rather than getting a crate engine I'm just gonna rebuild mine. It's cheaper and I can afford it much easier! I want to Make my 350 into a 383 stroker. Does anyone know about how much would it cost me to do this? Does this usually turn out well? What is everyones opinion of a 383 in a 79?

 

It turns out great. I put $7000 and I can get 510hp at the flywheel. I got a 79 with a TH 350 and 4:10 rear end. It'll haul pretty damn good. There are two types of 383 kits. The one that uses a 5.7" rod (stock 350) and one with a 6" rod. The 6" rod will give you more power due to the increased stroke. You have a variety of pistons to choose from too. I am going with the 54cc cylinder heads to run on pump gas with 210 CFM intake runners. With the 6" rod, you'll need a small base circle cam. Go to http://www.summitracing.com and enter in the motor specs that you're looking for.

 

I have seen quite a few that run really well, and they can be done pretty cheap. How much power are you looking for?

 

Can I use the 6" Rod with the stock 350 engine? You know how much a rebuild kit would cost if I already have the 350?

 

Im looking for nearly 500 HP

 

If it's on a 79 350 you might want to get it off two bolt mains. Take it to a machine shop and get splay bolts machined in. Otherwise you'll have problems. But then it might just be cheaper to buy a crate. Or you could buy an old 350 with 4 bolts.

 

You can use a 6" rod with a 350, but you'll need CUSTOM pistons. It'll move the wrist pin higher. The 6" rod will be needed to make 500 hp. Definately get a 4 bolt main or make it a 4 bolt with the machine shop.

http://www.chevymania.com/tech/rod.htm
http://www.chevymania.com/tech/383.htm

 

Well here is the good thing.. My dad is currently training to take over a local machine shop !!
. So All 79s are 2bolt?

 

All 79 Car 350's. If you can get a hold of a truck motor that would be a 4 bolt main with an insainley strong GM steel crank. You can get Mildon bearing main caps. Get those if you don't want to buy a new block. Install and torque the middle ones to spec and then used their included tools to guide the machine drill for the side bolts. The angled ones are better because it distributes the stress over a larger area. Then get it lined bored so the crank will go in straight.

 

Does anyone know how much this could end up costing me from a regular machine shop.

(SAY I have the 4 bolt engine I just want to make it so I can fit it into the 79)